Where to Buy them Cheap, What to Look for and How to Use Wicker Baskets to Add Storage and Style to Your Home
I have a confession to make. I'm a basket case.
I'm absolutely crazy about baskets and basket décor. I love hanging baskets,
wire baskets, wicker baskets, Easter baskets, pricey and cheap baskets.
I can't pass up a good deal on a storage basket to save my life and I'm
inexplicably drawn to every Picnic basket I see.
I wouldn't call it an obsession. Although my husband considered blocking
our internet access to WorldMarket.com. He didn't, of course. (I mean,
c'mon! Parental controls?) So I sent him a Thank You Basket. :-)~
Most of them are cheap baskets for storage, but last week he was understandably concerned about our Pay Pal balance when the UPS guy rang the doorbell bearing 14 decorative baskets I'd found online.
Two of those baskets are earmarked to hide home-office equipment like this:
Gorgeous, huh?
Had I purchased the baskets at World Market, my seagrass and wicker shopping
spree could have easily set us back $400 - $500. But they were from
ShopGoodwill.com, instead.
Using those gorgeous pics for inspiration, I found every wall basket I need to make my own BOHO wall art for just a few dollars each at Shop Goodwill — shopping from home in my pajamas.
It's like eBay for charity
Shop Goodwill isn't your typical online thrift store. It's a mega-huge, non-profit auction site that allows you to browse and bid on secondhand items pulled from not just one Goodwill thrift store, but from billions of pounds of donated goods collected at all 3,300 Goodwill locations across North America.
At any given time you'll find more than 30,000 items posted at Shop Goodwill,
including at least 500 baskets for sale in every material, size, shape, and
color you might imagine, at every price point.
But selection isn't the only reason Shop Goodwill has become my go-to thrift
fix during the pandemic.
Shopping at ShopGoodwill.com Just Feels Good
I like that buying used is good for the environment. And I feel good knowing
the money I spend at Shop Goodwill helps fund job training and employment
services for people with disabilities and other disadvantages.
It's also a safe place to shop online. I don't have to worry about getting
scammed by some unscrupulous seller because every seller on Shop Goodwill is
an affiliated Goodwill charity Thrift store.
How to Get Brag-Worthy Bargains at Shop Goodwill
One thing to keep in mind is individual Goodwill stores set the minimum bid
and buy now price of items from their location. Sometimes they know what
they have. Sometimes they don't. So prices vary widely.
After a while though, you'll get a feel for which Goodwill stores consistently
have better bargains and you can filter your search results accordingly to
save time.
Epic bargains, however — the kind that fill your chest with pride whenever you tell someone
how little you paid — go fast. You literally have to be the first to see one in order to snag it.
Which means frequently checking the Shop Goodwill website for new
arrivals.
If your budget is tight, skip the auctions and head straight to "Buy it Now."
That's where you'll find baskets offered at reduced prices because they didn't
sell at auction the first time around. Use advanced search to filter for "one
cent shipping" and save even more.
TIP: The secret to finding the biggest bargains at Shop Goodwill is to look for baskets sold in Lots with one cent shipping.
If you happen to see a basket up for auction that you want to buy, click
through and check the shipping and handling costs, first. It's not always
worth it, but if you're good with the total cost, wait until the auction has
nearly ended to place your bid. Otherwise you'll tip off competing shoppers
that your basket is worth bidding on.
To get a better idea of what you might be able to score, check out some of the
baskets my friends and I have found at Shop Goodwill this year:
Cheap Longaberger Baskets $1.49 - $18
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| Cheap Longaberger Baskets - Shop Goodwill |
Shop Goodwill is the absolute mecca for cheap Longaberger baskets.
(Try not to think about what you paid back in the day for the Longaberger baskets already in
your collection. ) The top basket is actually my mother's big find. She has the best luck thrifting.
Assorted Woven, Wire & Wicker Baskets $2 - $6
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Grass basket, vintage fishing basket, tall basket with lid, pair
of wire storage baskets and wicker baskets - Shop Goodwill. My best friend, Lisa, snagged the vintage fishing basket and the wire one during a bout with COVID-induced insomnia. |
Designer Label UGG Baskets $1.49 - $8
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| Woven Baskets - Shop Goodwill |
Pottery Barn Baskets $5 - $12
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| Five small Pottery Barn baskets and pair of woven baskets - Shop Goodwill |
Lisa, once again.
Decorative Baskets for Wall Galleries $5 - $7
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Finely woven basket/straw baskets from Zimbabwe
and Papago Beargrass Native American Baskets - Shop Goodwill I actually found these last two picnic baskets a year ago, but I couldn't resist showing them off ;-) |
Easter & Picnic Basket $7 and $9
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| Heart-shaped Picnic Basket and Easter Basket - Shop Goodwill |
Not bad, huh? And that's just a drop in the
bucket. (Or should I say basket?) Either way, I feel I should caution you...
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket
Shop Goodwill may be my favorite, but it's not the
only place that has nice, cheap baskets for
sale. You can also buy a basket that looks
good and fits your budget at:
- Garage Sales and Flea Markets
- HomeGoods
- TJ Max
- Big Lots
- Etsy
- World Market
- IKEA
- Michaels (baskets at clearance sales)
- Hobby Lobby (baskets with a coupon)
- Amazon
[Note]
Now that I've spilled the beans about my awesome
source with an endless supply of cheap baskets for
sale, I need to back-peddle a bit and share this: If
I've learned anything from buying more than my fair
share of baskets over the years, it's to
resist the urge to buy a basket just because it's
cheap. It's better to buy cheap baskets with a specific
purpose in mind. If not, they inevitably
become clutter that I end up tossing in the garage
sale pile with tags still attached.
That said, I spoke with interior designer Valerie
Nash of Nash & Young, who offered
these helpful tips on how to use baskets to add
storage and style to your home.
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| African style basket- Shop Goodwill |
What to look for when choosing a basket
Whether your purpose is to hide clutter in plain
sight or add texture to a room, buying the right
basket is all about size, style and function. When
you find a basket that meets your criteria for all
three, grab it!
Size
You can use a basket to
store anything from toilet paper, toys and throw
blankets to remotes and magazines and nearly
everything in between. So the first thing you
should consider is what you want it to hold.
MEASURE YOUR SPACE
Be sure to note how much vertical clearance you need
above a basket in an open area like above your
coffee table. It sucks to discover the new basket
you were so excited about blocks your view of the TV
or won't fit inside your bookcase because it's too
tall.
MATCH SCALE & WEIGHT
Look for a basket that's the same scale and visual
weight as your furniture. If you have a big chunky
sofa, a big chunky basket will look better sitting
next to it than a thin, dainty one.
FILL THE SPACE
Buy the largest basket that will fill the space. It
just looks better that way.
Style
Look for baskets that are the same style as your
décor. For example, a woven straw basket may
bring just the right amount of cozy to a Country
home, while a knit or crochet basket may be better
suited for Minimalist and Scandinavian style
décor.
There are no hard and fast rules — and by no
means is this an exhaustive list — but Nash says these basket material/style combinations
typically work well:
- Boho Chic: Rope basket, Water Hyacinth basket or wicker baskets.
- Country French: Market basket or Willow wicker baskets
- Country: Woven straw basket, jute basket, mesh basket, chicken wire, willow or rope baskets
- Mid Century: Brass basket, woven wicker baskets, wood wicker baskets, slat bamboo or picnic basket
- Minimalist & Scandinavian: Knit basket, crochet basket, water hyacinth, cotton or felt basket
- Modern Farmhouse: Tobacco basket, wire baskets, fruit baskets, galvanized metal baskets, rattan or wicker baskets
- Modern: Cotton basket, felt basket, raffia basket, rattan basket, banana leaf, palm, Seagrass or wicker baskets
- Rustic, Beach-coastal, Cottage: Bamboo basket, Seagrass basket, Maize basket, Water Hyacinth basket or rope baskets
- Traditional: Wicker baskets, cotton basket, felt basket, bamboo basket, rattan or willow baskets
- Tropical: Banana leaf basket, rattan basket, bamboo basket or wicker baskets
COLOR
There are exceptions to every rule, but generally, you want your storage baskets the same color as your walls or floor and decorative baskets in a contrasting accent color. But try not to get too hung up on color while you shop. You could easily stain or paint a basket that's not your perfect shade of greige.
CONDITION
Don't allow less-than-pristine condition stop
you from buying a basket you
love, either. With a little imagination, almost any basket
with a flaw can be repaired, repurposed or
camouflaged with paint and
embellishments.
Paint is probably the most popular tool for refreshing old, worn-out baskets. It's also the most fun. Check out my Pinterest board to see some amazing ways you can transform baskets with paint, plus tutorials on how to do it.
To repair minor breaks and splits in wicker baskets, try tooth picks and wood glue. An old leather
belt can
replace a broken or missing basket
handle
and believe-it-or-not, leather cat collars are perfect for
replacing the hinges on a picnic
basket. You can even
mend a broken basket with fabric.
TIP: To keep them looking fresh and new, clean your baskets with a can of compressed air. It will blow dust and debris out of nooks and crannies you can't reach.
Function
You have to give it up to the basket for it's
versatility. There's a basket made to hold
anything and everything and look good doing it,
too! Of course, baskets don't always need to have
utility. Sometimes they pull their weight
by simply sitting on a shelf looking
stylish.
CRAFTS
If you're looking for a good basket to paint, try
a
woodchip wicker basket. Woven from
thin wood strips, Woodchip wicker has a neat
texture that's especially suited for painted geometric, Boho and tribal designs.
If you want to tame a mound of craft supplies
while keeping them within easy reach, a
three-tiered basket may do the trick.
STORAGE BASKETS
Storage baskets should be attractive, but blend
in. Square, sturdy baskets usually work best.
Round baskets tend to waste precious storage
space.
- Choose a big rope basket to hold throw blankets in your living room. It will encourage air flow and keep your blankets smelling fresh.
- Consider using wire storage baskets in your bathroom since they don't mold or mildew.
- Turn rattan or wire storage baskets into shelves.
- Add wire storage baskets to floating shelves (affiliate link) for easy, attractive vertical storage
- Use small wicker baskets to catch keys in your entry and remote controls in the den.
- Cotton, Seagrass and wicker baskets make perfect magazine racks
- Wicker baskets with sturdy handles are the go-to basket for storing firewood.
- A wall of cubby holes with a single basket in each, is a chic way to tame a room full of toys.
- For a picture-perfect pantry, use water hyacinth storage baskets like these (affiliate link) to create defined areas organized by food-type or by meal. They're also perfect for hiding ugly packaging, helping you stay party-ready and for corralling small appliances.
TIP: Fill storage baskets about three-quarters full to start so you'll have room to add more stuff over time.
HOME FURNISHINGS
- Make a lamp shade or pendant light from a tall basket
- Use a basket tray to accent and pull together miscellaneous items on a tabletop, ottoman, kitchen counter or bedside table.
- Add maintenance-free greenery to a room with air plants in hanging baskets
- Use a seagrass belly basket or thick rattan wicker baskets as planters to upgrade large potted plants and ornamental trees.
- Use wicker baskets with lids to hide ugly office equipment and unsightly cords
- Repurpose rattan or wire baskets into a table.
HOME DECOR
- Use seagrass baskets to dress up the space below your sofa or entry table
- Throw several wicker baskets on top of an armoire to add height and visual interest.
- Use a shallow basket or basket tray to hold items for a vignette or centerpiece.
- Display several matching wicker baskets in a row across the bottom shelf of a bookcase to add weight and anchor the piece to the floor.
- Repurpose baskets into seasonal and holiday decorations. Baskets make really cute pumpkins, for example.
- Use a large basket as a vase
BASKET DISPLAY
- If you have a collection of baskets, consider displaying them as a group.
- Or display a group of your collectibles in a basket.
Basket Fillers
What you don't want to display is an empty basket. It looks unnatural and out-of-place sitting alone with nothing inside. It's better to fill a decorative basket with greenery or a group of found objects, instead. Seashells and stars, moss balls and artificial fruit all make good basket fillers. If you're not sure what you want to use, this list of 50 basket filler ideas is bound to have something you love:
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Last, but not least. . . (Actually, I saved the best for last!)
Basket Wall Galleries
Use baskets instead of traditional artwork to create a gallery wall. Or, use a combination of both! By definition, a wall basket is flat on one side, but you'll have a lot more baskets to choose from if you broaden your search to include shallow baskets, as well. It's also a good idea to look outside the basket isle. You'll often find bicycle baskets, trays, wicker placemats, charger plates and wicker paper plate holders that are perfectly suited to repurpose into wall baskets.
Hanging Baskets on the Wall
Hanging baskets gallery-style is
surprisingly easy. You simply lay your baskets on the floor
in front the wall; shuffle them around
until you like the arrangement and snap a
pic to reference as you nail them to the wall. Baskets are so light-weight that in most
cases all it takes is one tiny finishing
nail to hang each basket.
That's the easiest way -- but it's not fail safe.
FREE BASKET WALL E-BOOK
If you break into a cold sweat at the thought of making a basket wall on the fly, you can relax. I have a free Basket Wall Planner you can download that will make your whole project a breeze. It's 77 pages of eBook with options, checklists, graphs, photos and done-for-you patterns that allow you to decide precisely how your project will go.
How do you use baskets in your home? Send me a pic or comment on your DIY basket project below. I'm dying to hear from you!
Hope this helps...
More About Basket Storage & Décor:
- How to clean a thrifted basket - curi-oh.com
- How to Spray Paint Wicker Baskets - thecrazycraftlady.com
- 10 Steps to repair or replace damaged wicker - wickerliving.com
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The Ultimate guide to buying nice, cheap baskets that look more like high-end
décor
